FANNING'S VOYAGES MARINE MAMMALS. 293 



and awkward on the rocks, but they are very lively when on the move. 



I consider them as quick in their movements as any fish that swims. 

 They strike at one another with the rapidity of lightning. I have seen 

 one bull prevent another from landing for several hours. They move 

 along by drawing the hinder part of the body forward and under, and 

 then giving a jump and push forward. 



If they are disturbed before they pup they will leave the rock and 

 go to another. 



The cow has six teats, I think, which they draw into the udder or 

 body when not suckling their young. The milk is very white and 

 strengthening. Should a cow die or be killed her pup is suckled by 

 the other cows. This I am told is the case, but I can't vouch for it. 

 All I write is my experience on the Seal Eocks, off " The Nobbies" at 

 Phillip Island, Victoria. 



I can't say whether they inhabit these rocks all the year or not, but 

 don't think so. I have heard Eoss say they do not. 



As regards their habits, fur, ears, etc., etc., the only difference being 

 in the color; some are darker than others. 



They are found along the coast as far as I know, from Phillip Island 

 to Wilson's Promontory. Nearly all the islands in Bass's Straits are 

 inhabited by seals. 



I know of no other fur or eared seal; in fact, there is no other seal 

 about here. 



(Signed) George Ardill, 



Mounted Constable. 



EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF BENJAMIN PENDLETON TO ED- 

 MUND FANNING, PUBLISHED IN FANNING'S VOYAGES AROUND 

 THE "WORLD, 1792 TO 1832. > 



Speaking of the seals on the coast of Chili, it is said: "It is this 

 last named, viz, the seal fishery, that more particularly needs the 

 assistance of an exploring by Government. Those vessels employed in 

 this business have lately generally made losing voyages from the fact 

 that those places which were the resort of the seals have been aban- 

 doned by them or they cut off from them, so that other discoveries are 

 much wanted, while as an evidence that these can be effected was our fre- 

 quently meeting during our cruise in the ocean with numerous flocks or 

 shoals of those amphibious animals, who, it is well known, must resort 

 once in the year to places that as yet remain undiscovered." 



EXTRACT FROM SCAMMON'S MARINE MAMMALS OF THE NORTH- 

 WESTERN COAST.* 



FUR SEALS. 



Our observations about the mouth of the strait of Juan de Fuca lead 

 us to believe that the unusually large number [of fur-seals] seen in the 

 vicinity during the past two years are a portion, at least, of the great 

 herd that resort to St. Paul and St. George. One reason for this con- 

 clusion is, that no adult males are found with them. This would 

 naturally follow the careful course adopted by the Eussians of sparing 



'p. 487. 3 p. 155. 



